Method of umbrella and parasol construction



y 1929- F. E. SINCERE 1,713,983

METHOD OF UMBRELLA AND PARASOL CONSTRUCTION Original Filed June 6. 1922IN VENTUR- FRANK E, 'JINCERE. ,7 .BY

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 21, 1929.

UNITED STATES FRANK E. SINCEBCE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

METHOD OF UMBRELLA. AND YARASOL CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed June 6, 1922, Serial No. 566,401. Renewed March 28,1929.

This invention relates to a method for producing an umbrella orparasol', and has to do more particularly with a method by which the topor cover is constructed.

One of the objects of this invention 1s to provide a method by which theusual type of cover may be constructed of an inelastlc material, the topbeing formed of a plurality of gores, so designed that the top ispre-formed 'to have a dome-like shape when held taut.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method by which a covermay be provided for an umbrella or parasol, this cover being constructedof a relatively inelastic material and being pre-formed so that it willassume a dome-like shape when the umbrella is opened, without stretchingof the cover material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for theconstruction of a cover for umbrellas or parasols by the practice ofwhich a cover of a relatively inelastic mate-- rial may be manufactured,this cover being so designed as to assume a dome-like form when heldtaut, no undue stress being placed on the material, such as occurs inthe ordinary types of fabric covered umbrellas, when the frames areopened.

Other objects and aims of the invention, more or less specific thanthose referred to above, will be in part, obvious and in part pointedout in the course of the following description of the steps and therelation of each step to one or more of the others thereof employed incarrying out my method, and the scope of protection contemplated will beindicated in the appended claims.

In the a'ccompanyin drawing, wherein I have shown a preferre form ofembodiment of my invention:

Figure 1 represents a view in side elevation of an umbrella cover formedin accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the form on which the cover isconstructed;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the form illustrated in Figure2;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device illustrated inFigure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the gores; and

Figure 6 is a view in a gore joint.

In umbrellas as are ordinarily constructed at the present time, it iscustomary to properspective, showing vide a stick on which is mounted aplurality a textile material, such as silk, or in some instances cotton,in either event this textile material being relativelyv elastic, andcapable of being stretched, especially on the bias. Inelastic materials,such as paper, etc., have been used for umbrellas but in such cases,

the umbrella has a flat top surface such as is 1well-known in the caseof Japanese paraso s.

In the manufacture of umbrella tops, it is customary to cut a number ofgores, usually seven or eight, from the material, these gores beingordinarily of triangular form, the base of the triangle lying along orparallel to the selvage of the goods, and the sides of the trianglewhich are to overlie the ribs being of slightly less length than theribs. These gores are then stitched together so'as to form the completecover, this cover being, when held taut, of a somewhat conical form.When the gores are united to form a complete top,

there is provided a hole at the centre through which the stick is toproject.

The top is attached at its centre to the stick, and the seams lyingbetween a pair of adjacent gores are then to be attached to the end ofthe ribs. Inasmuch as the sides of the gores are of less length than theribs, this discrepancy mustbe taken care of by stretching, and as hasbeen stated, since the base ofthe gore lies along the selvage, thetension which will stretch the goods totake care of the difference inlength between the rib and the seam, will be on the bias with relationto the goods.

Having attached the end of one seam to the tip of one ofthe ribs, thisoperation is continued until the cover is completely attached, thenecessary pulling being repeated in each instance. The result will bethat the goods will be pulled outwardly along the seams and the centralportion of the base of the gore which will now be on the peripheralmargin of the cover between the ribs, will be drawn inwardly.

When the umbrella is opened by extending the ribs, the result will bethat the top will assume the well-known dome-like form with theperipheral margin indented between adj acent ribs. Owing to the tensionwhich is placed on the goods, the goods will lie smoothly and withoutwrinkling. It is clear that the necessity of stretching the goods inorder to place the cover in position on the frame makes it impossible touse goods which are relatively inelastic and incapable of beingstretched with the present method of construction. I have devised amethod, however, by which these difliculties may be obviated and bywhich a cover for umbrellas or parasols may be constructed either of arelatively inelastic material such as aper, or of an elasticmaterialwhich has een rendered inelastic by a process by means of whichthe material is rendered water-tight.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein similar reference characters referto similar parts throughout the several views thereof, thereferencecharacter 1 designates a top formed in accordance with mypresent method. This top is constructed of a plurality of gores 2, whichare cut in accordance with the shield-like pattern 3, illustrated inFigure 5. It will be seen that the sides 4, 4 of this pattern bow outslightly, whereas the base is inwardly curved a slight distance, as at5. 'It will be clear that the gores, such as are here illustrated, maybe stitched together along their margins, or else they may be united bycementing.

Owing to the bulge, of the sides of the gores, as at 4, it will be clearthat the gores cannot be spread out on a flat surface with their edgesoverlapping in order to carry on thel process'by which the gores are tobe united. I, therefore, provide a form 6, of any suitable material,such as fibre or wood, this form being mounted on a standard 7, providedwith i la base 8, and having a projecting spike 9 at the centre pointthereof. The form 6 is of a dome-like form and will be substantially acounterpart of the form which the cover will assume when the umbrella isopened.

The gore 3 will be laid on top of the form 6 and a second gore 4 placedadjacent thereto.

Owing to the shape of the form, it-will now be possible to layadjacent'goreswith their edges 4 overlapping, as is illustrated in Fig-'ure 6, whereupon these gores may be united made. The cementingoperation is continue along their overlying edges as, for instance,

by means of any suitable cementing material,

this depending to some extent upon the character of the material ofwhich the gores are with the other gores, until there is finally formedacomplete top which is illustrated in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3.This top is then to be removed from the form and placed over the stickof the umbrella, whereupon the pointed ends of the gores will beattached to the tips of the ribsin any desired manner.

. form the cover.

material ordinarily being provided with a selvage which is woven so asto give the appearance of a ribbon. In this method I may cut my goreswithout reference to the selvage, but in the cheaper grades I hem theedges of the gores before they are united to In the better grades,however, I find it desirable to provide an artificial edge which may bemade of ribbon or other similar material which may be stitched orcemented in position on the bases of the gores. This mounting of theartificial edge is facilitated by reason of the fact that the gores arenot stretched or the fabric otherwise distorted when the umbrella isopen. n

Having attached the cover at its central point to the stick, and at theends of the lines of union of adjacent gores to the tips of the ribs,the cover will be attached to the ribs at various intermediate points,in any manner that may be desired.

It will now, be seen that when the umbrella is opened by forcing theribs outwardly in the extended position, the cover will assume thedome-like form illustrated in Figure 1. The lines of union of theadjacent gores being. on a curve, as is illustrated in Figure 3, theribs will consequently bow in the usual manner, and the peripheralmargin of ,t-he

cover, owing to the inward curve indicated at 5, will give theappearance'of the indentations ordinarily produced by stretching thefabric. a

- Furthermore, this design in the cover gives the umbrella, when opened,,the usual appearance, but makes it possible, as has previously beenexplained, to use relatively inelastic materials such as paper, orfabrics which have been treated so as to be rendered water -tight. Theuse of such fabrics is made possible since the opening of the umbrellapla ces no strain upon the material which is merely held taut when theumbrella is opened.

I preferably use for cover purposes, a fabd sist separation. Were suchmaterial cut/in the ordinary form and mounted upon the usual type ofumbrella, it would be impossible to attach the peripheral margin of thecover to 'the ends of the ribs, inasmuch as f;

the fabric would not yield sufliciently for the purpose. I l T a I findfurthermore. that .it is possible to make a cover in accordance with themethod here described, of a relatively weak material, such as paper,this result being possible, owing to the fact that while the umbrellahas every appearance of the ordinary stretched type, yet the material isplaced under no undue stresses, the opening of the frame simply causingthe material to-be held taut, that is to say, smoothly and withoutslack, which would form wrinkles.

The use of a form of which the cover is to be produced, is a greatlabor-saving device, and makes it possible to construct a cover in agreat deal less time than would be necessary if the gores were stitchedtogether. This is particularly true since the material to be used istreated sons to be waterrepellant, and therefore cannot be stitched asrapidly, as is the case in an ordinary fabric. The cementing processgives the required strength and may be rapidly carried on.

It will be seen, therefore, that I have devised a method of umbrella andparasol construction, well adapted to attain the several objects setforth. An umbrella constructed in accordance with this method'may bemade of inelastic water-repellant material, or of such cheap fabrics aspaper, while at the same time having the appearance of the much moreexpensive umbrellas now on the market.

Furthermore, the umbrella is cheap to construct, and a Water-repellantmaterial, such as I have referred to, may be manufactured at a greatdeal less expense than the cost of the finer grades of silk, which isthe'only material for umbrella tops which may be compared to thewater-repellant material in regard to its shedding qualities.

The umbrella or parasol furthermore may be constructed with a minimumexpenditure of time and labor, and has the finished domelike appearancewith the indented peripheral margin, such as isnow the case withumbrellas as ordinarily constructed.

As many changes could be made in this construction without departingfrom the scope of the following claims, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingshall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of umbrella and parasol construction which consists incutting a plurality of gores from afabric, laying said gores upon a formwith their adjacent lateral margins overlapping, uniting said goresalong these margins to form a cover, and mounting said cover on a frame.

2. A method of umbrella and parasol construction which consists inproviding a material water-proofed to make it inelastic,'cutting aplurality of gores therefrom, laying said gores on a dome-like form withtheir adjacent lateral margins overlapping, uniting said gores alongtheir overlapping edges, while maintaining said gores in unwrinkledcondition, whereby to form a cover having a dome-like form whenheldytaut, and mounting said cover on a frame.

3. A method of umbrella and parasol construction which consists inproviding a waterproofed material, cutting a plurality of shield-likegores therefrom, laying said gores on a form so shaped as to permit theadjacent lateral marglns of said gores to overlap, V

uniting said gores along their overlapping margins to form a cover andmounting said cover on a frame.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

FRANK E. SINCERE.

